The following
information was provided to us by the National Association of Trade
Exchanges.

Trade Exchange Contingent Enjoys
Annual Convention In Toronto

The National Association of Trade Exchanges
(NATE) held its 22nd Annual Convention August 10-12 at the Delta
Chelsea Hotel in Toronto. Although the convention was not as well
attended as previous events, NATE attendees enjoyed an extremely
positive and productive three days of seminars, and sales and broker
training. All attendees said they came away with a great deal of
useful information that they plan to implement within their own
trade exchanges.

NATE continues to keep pace with the latest
innovations in technology, and many of its convention sessions
covered such topics as search engine optimization, and how to use
technology to improve the visibility and efficiency of their trade
exchange.

Two viable ways that NATE is leading the pack,
regarding technological advances in the barter industry, are through
its newly redesigned NATE and Banc
Web sites. Tom McDowell, Executive Director of NATE, said the
association has received tremendous feedback from its members as to
the ease of navigation and usefulness of these two sites.

NATE continues to stand at the forefront of the
barter industry as the premier association for independent trade
exchanges worldwide. But, like any industry, the world of barter is
facing many significant challenges that impact the bottom line of
each trade exchange owner. NATE addressed several of these
challenges with such discussions as “Our New Competition and How to
Combat It.”

This session helped to identify and deal with
the effects of the Internet, superstores, and other factors that are
infiltrating the barter industry and affecting the way trade
exchanges do business.

As NATE looks to battle new competitors,
members turned their attention to addressing the needs of their
existing clients. Jonathan Weaver of Peak Performers conducted an
intense sales session designed to help NATE trade exchange owners
learn how to understand and speak their customers’ language, as well
as to show how prospects and members view their business.

NATE also selected the following committee
chairs for the next year. Ric Zampatti of The Barter Company in
Atlanta is chairman of the Barter Association National Currency (Banc)
Committee, and Jerry Howell of Midwest Business Exchange in
Kalamazoo (MI) is chair of the Programs Committee. Dale Mardak of
International Monetary Systems in New Berlin (WI) is chair of the
Membership Committee.

NATE president Fran Crumpton of Gulf Coast
Trade Exchange in Pensacola (FL) will continue to chair the
Education Committee. Jim Cassidy of Barter Partners in St. Joseph
(MI) will remain chair of the Technology Committee.

“The NATE Certified Trade Broker Program
challenges each one of us to strive for the highest level of service
to our clients and ensures the continued growth and expansion of our
industry,” said Fran Crumpton, President of NATE. “This particular
group of well-trained brokers will continue to be an asset to the
barter industry.”

The CTB Program is offered annually
during the NATE convention. Lisa Boudreau of IMS Barter-Connecticut
and Anna McDowell of ATX The Barter Company in Cleveland, assisted
with the CTB training.